UK to issue more control orders, pitch new EU anti-terror measures after London bombings

[JURIST] Although new legislation is not being brought forward immediately [JURIST report], UK Home Secretary Charles Clarke [official profile] is likely to issue more control orders, and will present new anti-terrorism measures to the European Union next week, according to London's Sunday Times. The control orders, established under the 2005 Prevention of Terrorism Act [text], allow a wide range of restrictions to be imposed on persons suspected of terrorist activity, including house arrest, travel restrictions and bans on using telephones or the Internet. Clark is also expected to present a proposal to a meeting of EU Interior Ministers in Brussels on Wednesday that would streamline efforts to track terrorist cells in Europe by creating central databases that would allow law enforcement agencies to effectively share information. One measure proposed would require telecommunications companies to retain customer records, including phone calls and text messages, for review by law enforcement. Another proposal would establish European standards for identity cards, currently under consideration in the UK. The Sunday Times has more.

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